“Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.”
— Hebrews 13:3

This well-known passage from the New Testament is one of literally hundreds woven throughout scripture that directs the hearts and hands of readers to the “least of these” as God lays out His redemptive plan for the world.

The message is clear — Jesus came to the earth and made Himself the ultimate servant, and He expects those who claim His name to follow His lead, putting the poor first and looking after the widows, orphans and even those charged with crimes.

At the Michigan-based Crossroad Bible Institute, an organization built to equip churches and persons of faith to disciple prisoners and to prepare and assist them on their road to re-entry into society, restorative justice that puts people first is near and dear to our mission and our hearts.

That’s why we were so encouraged by recent developments in Lansing where Gov. Rick Snyder issued an executive order creating an Indigent Defense Advisory Commission designed to take a cold, hard, data-driven look at Michigan’s system of providing a legal defense for those accused of crimes who cannot afford their own attorney.

The Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution, our nation’s founding document, grants every American citizen the right to an adequate legal defense. Our founding fathers thought this right every bit as important as the freedom of speech, freedom to practice our religion and freedom of the press. It is no coincidence that our founders were students of the Bible.

Amos the prophet, according to the Hebrew Scriptures, exhorts the righteous again and again to uphold justice, to let justice roll like a river and, specifically, not to deprive the poor of justice in the courts.

The prophet and our founding fathers understood that true justice requires impartiality and equality in how justice is administered, regardless of how much money a defendant does or does not have in his bank account.

Unfortunately, according to recent studies, here in Michigan, that Constitutional right is all too often being ignored and an adequate legal defense remains out of reach when the poor are accused of a crime.

Amos could very well be rolling over in his grave.

So what does this disparity in the application of justice and Gov. Snyder’s Advisory Commission have to do with people of faith?

In the 25th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus explains in clear and unmistakable language his expectations for believers and the consequences awaiting those who fail to love their neighbors not just in word, but in deed. He not only aims to guide his disciples' hearts but to direct them to action.

In the case of indigent defense, upholding Jesus' command to serve and protect the poor means the state must uphold the Constitution. People of faith must come alongside policy-makers and prisoners alike, to love and to serve.

Dr. H. David Schuringa is the President of Crossroad Bible Institute and an ordained minister in the Christian Reformed Church with experience as a pastor, professor and theologian. He holds numerous degrees and is a graduate of Calvin Theological Seminary (Th.M.) in Grand Rapids.